Grotto, Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania - 2019
Longwood Gardens' newest water feature is the Grotto, a re-creation of the various small caves, both natural and artificial, that were employed in Europe as spiritual places and places of quiet contemplation
The proprietors of Longwood Gardens saw an opportunity to create such a space while renovating the overhead main fountain in 2017. This is how their Web site explains it:
"The design of the Longwood Grotto draws on the historic grottos that Mr. du Pont visited in Europe. The square, tripartite plan and shallow dome are classical motifs that reflect the Italianate style of the Loggia and wider garden. However, the classical language is disrupted by the rugged, rubble stone of the walls and dome inside the Grotto. The stone was sourced from the D’Amico quarry just a few miles from Longwood and selected because of its rough texture and mica inclusions. The south wall of the Grotto appears to have collapsed, apparently revealing the natural rock face of a cave. Creating the illusion of the natural through playful artifice, it is as if the Grotto has always been there."
The halo of falling water into the circular pool below clearly entertained and delighted these spectators, and me as well.
Grotto, Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania - 2019
Longwood Gardens' newest water feature is the Grotto, a re-creation of the various small caves, both natural and artificial, that were employed in Europe as spiritual places and places of quiet contemplation
The proprietors of Longwood Gardens saw an opportunity to create such a space while renovating the overhead main fountain in 2017. This is how their Web site explains it:
"The design of the Longwood Grotto draws on the historic grottos that Mr. du Pont visited in Europe. The square, tripartite plan and shallow dome are classical motifs that reflect the Italianate style of the Loggia and wider garden. However, the classical language is disrupted by the rugged, rubble stone of the walls and dome inside the Grotto. The stone was sourced from the D’Amico quarry just a few miles from Longwood and selected because of its rough texture and mica inclusions. The south wall of the Grotto appears to have collapsed, apparently revealing the natural rock face of a cave. Creating the illusion of the natural through playful artifice, it is as if the Grotto has always been there."
The halo of falling water into the circular pool below clearly entertained and delighted these spectators, and me as well.